It is the China virus. That’s not racist. That’s the truth.

China was warned decades ago that their markets were a potential source of a pandemic. They did nothing to mitigate the risk.

When the COVID19 outbreak started, they suppressed the truth, jailed dissenters, didn’t allow foreign experts in, and lied to the world, and to the World Health Organization. (WHO’s conduct is in this story is abysmal also, by the way.)

They hid the fact that COVID19 could be spread by human conduct. Lots of people are dead because of that lie.

We still don’t know crucial facts about this Chinese, Wuhan virus because in totalitarian cultures, following orders and supporting the party is more important than the truth.

It is way past time to end our dependence on China, and for the world to ostracize them for the brutal monsters they are.

65 thoughts on “It is the China virus. That’s not racist. That’s the truth.”

  1. True, calling Covid-19 a Chinese virus isn’t racist technically. Yet, the term can be (and has been) used pejoratively. When that occurs, within some contexts, it can have a similar impact as a racist term. My question would be, what’s the intent of using the term “Chinese virus”, especially when the terms Covid-19 and Coronavirus are already well known and widely accepted?

    That said, if the impact of using “Chinese virus” is pejorative and leads to negative consequences on people of Chinese decent (especially those outside of China who had nothing to do with the virus), it’s best not to be used. Yet, as a factual reference in a descriptive, scientific context, it shouldn’t be an issue. Generally speaking, if we wish to ostracize the Chinese government for their deplorable conduct then calling that out directly is likely a better way to do it.

  2. Well, to some extent the Chinese culture is to blame. The wet markets are a breeding ground for epidemics.

    Of course that doesn’t mean individual Chinese are responsible.

    So, why use the term? Because the Chinese government doesn’t want us to.

    1. QUOTE: Well, to some extent the Chinese culture is to blame. The wet markets are a breeding ground for epidemics. Of course that doesn’t mean individual Chinese are responsible. So, why use the term? Because the Chinese government doesn’t want us to.

      That sounds a bit petulant and scorched earth-ish to me. Go after the parties responsible and leave those who are not out of it. If I’m an American (with Chinese decent) who’s never lived in China, I hardly find comfort in that explanation…especially if I become the target of harassment from other crazy Americans.

      Covid-19 and Coronavirsus are suitable terms for general communications purposes. “Chinese virus”, in the context you describe, seems to have too many potential unintended consequences. It may not be technically racist but the impact goes in the same general direction (when used as you described).

  3. Consistent with Trump’s insane foreign policy track record, he said “Chinese Virus” to intentionally nettle the Chinese government. That is poor taste. What purpose does that kind of rhetoric serve? If the virus started in the US and they called it the “American Virus”, Trump would be up in arms about it.

    1. It serve the purpose of not letting the world forget what evil monsters rule China, with such extreme disregard for human life that they knowingly and deliberately perpetrated a coverup which permitted a local outbreak to become a worldwide pandemic, so we don’t become complacent about it again when it matters.

      If the virus started in the U.S. and the U.S. didn’t cover up what was going on, thus astronomically increasing the chances that it would become a worldwide pandemic, and they started calling it the American virus, that would be pretty annoying, but to be expected coming from the Chinese.

      2. QUOTE: It serve the purpose of not letting the world forget what evil monsters rule China, with such extreme disregard for human life that they knowingly and deliberately perpetrated a coverup which permitted a local outbreak to become a worldwide pandemic, so we don’t become complacent about it again when it matters.

        @pentamom, do you think the following recent public statements from our president support the sentiment you highlight?

        * “Now we are working very strong with China on the Coronavirus.”
        * “We are offering them [China] tremendous help…we’ve offered China help.”
        * “We have a tremendous relationship with China which is a very positive thing.”
        * “I’m confident that they [China] are trying very hard. I know President Xi and we get along very well…they are trying very, very hard. ” (in response to the question… “how confident are you that China is being 100% honest with us when it comes to this scary virus?”)

  4. Scott, the Chinese are saying we created the virus. Calling it the China virus seems like small beer in comparison.

    1. Sure, saying we created it is worse. But shouldn’t Trump have refuted the charge instead of turning it back on the Chinese? Trump is like a little kid in a schoolyard insult battle: “No, I’m not one. You are!”

      I doubt anyone actually knows where the virus came from. Yes, the best guess is the dead/live animal market (or the Chinese biolab) since those are located in the vicinity of Wuhan.

  5. Trump will do anything in his power to draw attention from his initial dismissiveness and flippancy in reaction to COVID-19 in the US.

  7. Should Trump act like a gentleman? Maybe. I think the times call for a school-yard bully.

    1. A school-yard bully is only interested in himself, and Trump has shown time and again that is precisely where his interest lies.

    2. A school-yard bully that specializes in name-calling and influencing some Americans to name-call other Americans? Is that really what these times call for?

  8. Yeah right, we definitely need a guy on the playground to push around the slanty-eyed kids and turn the other kids against them.

  9. Yes, because for the last couple decades, the left has been bullying and calling names, and the right’s reply has been lame and ineffective. Trump is punching back, and I love it.

    1. So, let’s see…some of the recent byproducts of this little punching tag game has been…a very contagious and now deadly virus was ignored and purported to be a political hoax (which the US is the current world leader and growing in infections). As well, Americans of Chinese/Asian descent getting harassed by other “ignorant” Americans due to the actions of another country’s government and culture. Interestingly enough, the harassers once believed Covid-19 was a political hoax but now hold the harassed responsible for Americans becoming sick and dying. You’d have to be high on meth to make sense of that one!

      So, boys and girls it seems the lesson we’re “suppose” to learn is that it doesn’t really matter if there’s negative unintended consequences to those who don’t deserve it. As well, we can mislead, mismanage and put others’ lives at risk, as long as there’s some good ole punching back that’s happening. #scorchedearth

  10. I like William’s remarks.I see no reason to call it the Chinese virus. If you want to do it because the ChiCom’s don’t like it… that just seems childish. It’s unfortunate that we have an reality TV insult expert in charge instead of a self-less adult.

    Before we got kicked out of the office, a co-worker was telling me she saw some “old lady” (probably 50s, haha) at Starbucks asking her coffee to get re-made because some “Chinese” girl (asian) had made it. People, especially MAGAts, don’t seem to do too well with nuance.

    That said I don’t have any problems calling it the Wuhan virus–that’s what the ChiCom media called it at the beginning. Most of you have probably read that the “Spanish Flu” originated in Kansas?

  11. This is what it looks like when school-yard bully punching (aka ignorance) occurs due to misguided labeling. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_IyTxRNUYk.

    This thread has brought back memories from previous national crises. Seems there was some punching-up from the fighting right against the previous administration relative to the Ebola crisis. Despite all their wind-milling, it resulted in 11 total cases, 2 deaths and 9 recoveries (despite it being a very lethal virus). Seems now that the fighting right are in charge, this current crisis has been initially dismissed as a political hoax, somewhat mismanaged and thus far resulted in nearly 300,000 infections and over 6,500 deaths in the US (and counting). The US gets the global distinction of being the world leader in infections when just a few weeks ago we were pointing the finger at Italy. Yet, in the midst of this, there seems to be a sentiment that this is a golden opportunity to settle old political scores (despite the impact on others). #punchback.

    Oh, for the good ole days…when the fighting right’s pugilistic pleasures were derived from taking on a president for wearing a tan suit! At least back then the outcomes from their jabs didn’t result in the aforementioned fallout.

  12. You had to mention that damned tan suit. That was a clear-cut instance of the left bullying real Murkins. Now it’s time to get our guy punching them yellow-skinned people. I totally love it!

    1. You know, you may have a point about the pesky left and their bullying. I suppose it didn’t matter when Reagan, Eisenhower, Bush Sr. and Bush Jr. worn a tan suit while in office, right? 😉

    2. Politics has been rough for a long time, and people were rough on Obama. (But not rough enough, IMO.)

      But you can’t honestly compare the insane nastiness that’s been directed at Trump to the way previous presidents have been treated. It’s a whole new level.

      And I love it! It’s allowing Trump to expose the media for who they are. They’ve been “fake news” for decades, but it’s only now that somebody is saying it, and it’s taking a heavy toll on the media’s popularity and the public’s trust in them. And that is a Very Good Thing.

      1. Damned straight that they weren’t rough enough on Obama! It wasn’t only the tan suit. He wore some other bad clothes besides that.

      2. Actually, I think it’s a futile exercise to try to compare presidents, people will always say “their guy” was treated worse. Yet, if you have a resource that objectively measures and verifies your claim, I’ll consider it.

        That said, in absence of the aforementioned resource, albeit the attacks are different, I believe Trump’s treatment is comparable with his predecessors. Since you raised Obama, here’s just a few examples of his treatment (while in office). Obama was accused of:
        • Being trained to overthrow the US government
        • Being a terrorist and not a US citizen – bringing a 100 million Muslims to America
        • Ordering soldiers to pledge allegiance to him
        • Having a lackluster presidential response to the 9/11 crisis (despite not being president)
        • Initiating attacks on the police
        • Being funded by a Saudi prince
        • Preparing FEMA concentration camps – creating mandatory youth re-education camps
        • Planning to seize IRA accounts
        • Causing the BP oil spill
        • Being behind the Aurora massacre
        • Having Andrew Breitbart killed to silence him
        • Planning a third presidential term
        • Being a brainwashing hypnotist and convincing Americans to vote for him via subliminal messages
        • Being gay and once married to a Pakistani man
        • Being the Antichrist (even had a conservative pastor publicly preach that he hated Obama and hoped for his death)
        • Secretly giving away American islands to Russia

        Lastly, given these sort of attacks (which isn’t a complete list by far), it’s interesting you would consider his treatment wasn’t rough enough. It would be interesting to see you as President Crowhill and how you might handle that job and the challenges that come with it.

        1. William, remind me again, which mainstream media outlets accused Obama of those things?

          1. @pentamom…what relevance is that if Americans not only believe but perpetuate these accusations?

          3. QUOTE: The term “mainstream” is losing its meaning.

            You make an interesting point. As of February 2020, Faux News was the most-watched network in the United States and had a prime time audience of approximately 3.53 million prime time viewers in Feb. Seems pretty “mainstream”, eh?

            Yet, since the advent social media, “mainstream” media hasn’t been as essential in sharing information. Stories, rumors and lies can go viral and spread to multiple of millions without hitting so-called “mainstream” media.

          4. Yes, “mainstream” is the wrong term now, since liberal media has (deservedly) lost a lot of its market share and influence. Perhaps “legacy media” is the right term. Or … just call it what it is. The liberal media.

          5. At least the so-called “liberal media” accurately tracked COVID-19 while Fox was grotesquely downplaying it.

          6. That’s fake news, Robin. The liberal media absolutely did not track it correctly.

          7. That’s bullshit, Greg, because I was tracking them and also sampling Hannity’s outbursts at the same time. By and large, they got it right: that there is a virus coming on the scene and we need to be braced for it. Hannity was saying that this news was attempt of the left to bring down Trump. He was also saying that that dirty black guy who was previously president was much more off the mark with Swine Flu (beyond which COVID-19 has soared by leaps and bounds).

            I know what I saw and heard at the end of last year and at the beginning of this year. I refuse to be gaslighted!

          8. So you tracked the entire liberal media against Hannity, and that somehow justifies your statement? C’mon, that’s not a fair sample, and anecdotal in any event.

            Hannity has been all over the map on this. (No surprise.) Tucker Carlson (also on Fox) was sounding the alarm about the virus early, and Morning Joe (MSLSD) was saying it was not a problem. Just recently, Maddow was mocking the idea that the Mercy and the Comfort would be in port within a week — shortly before they arrived. The use of hydroxychloroquine (or whatever the heck it is) was mocked by the left — until the FDA approved it.

            The errors are all over the map, and the people I’ve seen who have tracked this in a systematic way have said that everybody got some things wrong and some right.

            Remember, media outlets have fired their fact checkers to save money.

          9. I didn’t say I tracked the ENTIRE so-called liberal media, but I did track a few outlets. In their reporting they basically got it right. I remember quite clearly thinking that this may well be an exaggeration. When they started saying that there is now a case in France, now a case in Italy, I asked myself, “Is this really such a big deal?” while Hannity was bellowing forth, saying that it wasn’t. I do think that it is of some importance to note this, because he is by far the biggest loudmouth in the media. Limbaugh, another Loud Mouth, said that it was no worse than the common cold. BY AND LARGE (not in every minute detail) the so-called liberal media got it right and the right wingers dropped the ball. I have no allegiance to any of these em effers. But my objectivity overrides all this Crap from Crowhill (which is incidentally likewise anecdotal).

          10. Ha ha. I would ask you if you had the time (I do not) to look up some objective reviews of media coverage, but of course there is no such thing. The so-called watchdogs are just as biased as the people they’re watching. Sometimes more.

            But if you think your subjective, anecdotal review of media coverage is worth something …. wow.

          11. QUOTE: Yes, “mainstream” is the wrong term now, since liberal media has (deservedly) lost a lot of its market share and influence. Perhaps “legacy media” is the right term. Or … just call it what it is. The liberal media.

            The distinction between “left-biased” and “right-biased” media itself seems meaningless because they both operate similarly except for who they support. Because of the inherent bias of both, the audience needs to carefully scrutinize the information they are given, weigh that against known facts/data and draw their own conclusions. Unfortunately, I don’t think a large number of people do this. They seem to be easily persuaded by those who are aligned with their personal preferences…even when the information they are being fed is obviously flawed.

            Most of all the audience needs to believe what they can plainly observe (especially if it comes directly from the source). So, if a personality or politician is observed saying “X” (and it’s without question what “X” means) and later denies they said “X” but said “Y”, they SHOULD be called out on it and dismissed as lying or misleading (especially if they have no verifiable rationale for the difference and this behavior is habitual).

            As well, debating over who’s more biased is futile because staunch supporters of each will RARELY concede their side is biased. I get amused when people attempt take pots shots at the so-called “media” (as if their trusted media sources are totally unbiased and pure). They readily point out the bias of the opposite side but are blind as a (uneaten) bat relative to the bias of their trusted sources. I suspect they forget that when they point a finger they have some pointing back at them. I especially get amused at the reaction when it can be objectively proven a trusted source is wrong. Typically, instead of admitting it, the supporters throw out red herrings and continue on as if what is clearly wrong is right.

          12. QUOTE: BY AND LARGE (not in every minute detail) the so-called liberal media got it right and the right wingers dropped the ball.

            @Robin, isn’t it interesting how a good number of the right wing headliners have dramatically shifted their coverage relative to Covid-19? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifKbwDf51bA.

            It’s true, the so-called liberal (left-biased) media didn’t get it 100% right, but I didn’t notice such a dramatic shift.

            That said, if you listen to our president (who I think happens to be right-leaning), he initially said the following:

            * When you have 15 people and within a couple of days the 15 is going to be down to close to zero, that’s a pretty good job we’ve done (relative to US infections)
            * We pretty much shut it down, coming from China
            * It will go away, just stay calm
            * We have it very much under control
            *Anybody right now and yesterday, anybody who needs a test, gets a test, they’re there. They have the test and the tests are beautiful…they are all set, they are out there
            * We have an invisible enemy. We have a problem that a month ago nobody ever thought about (stated 0n March 16 but made other public statements that indicated that the administration allegedly started work on this as early as January)

            Also, there is a sentiment that insulting the Chinese government is a good thing and we need more of it. This is what our president recently said about China :

            * Now we are working very strong with China on the Coronavirus
            * We are offering them [China] tremendous help…we’ve offered China help
            * We have a tremendous relationship with China which is a very positive thing
            * I’m confident that they [China] are trying very hard. I know President Xi and we get along very well…they are trying very, very hard… (in response the the question…”how confident are you that China is being 100% honest with us when it comes to this scary virus?)

  13. William, who exactly called what a hoax?

    So Trump is to blame because some lady insulted a Chinese person at Starbucks? Give me a break. That’s just stupid.

    You are all too smart to believe that insulting the Chinese government (good thing — we need more of it) is the same as justifying bad behavior towards Chinese people.

    1. @Crowhill, some right wing media, some in Trump’s administration, Dr. Jr. and Trump accused the Democrats of attempting to use the Coronavirus to damage Trump and that it was their new hoax.

      Speaking of a hoax, it’s interesting that Alex Jones and Jim Bakker have been peddling products that allegedly cured or prevent Covid-19. Yet, the government has warned these items are fraudulent. https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/487149-alex-jones-promotes-toothpaste-he-claims-kills-coronavirus-as

      Who said Trump was to blame for a Chinese person being insulted at Starbucks?

      Interestingly, you said insulting the Chinese government was a good thing and we need more of it. Yet, in a recent interview with Hannity, Trump stated…”we have a tremendous relationship with China and that’s a positive thing”. He also said in a tweet that we have offered China and President Xi any help that is necessary (relative to Covid-19). As well, he made other public statements indicating he and the administration were “working strong” with China.

      Again, my point is that it’s better not to use the term “Chinese Virus” because it can contribute to unnecessary and unwarranted negative behavior towards those who are not responsible, inclusive of fellow Chinese Americans. So, if insulting the Chinese government is what some want to do, there are better ways to do it, ones that lessen the risk of unintended consequences.

      1. Are you disputing that the Democrats are using coronavirus to damage Trump? Really?

        1. I’m not disputing anything. I was making a statement of fact. Some right wing media, some in Trump’s administration, Don Jr. and Trump accused the Democrats of attempting to use the Coronavirus to damage Trump and that it was their new hoax.

          Are you disputing that this isn’t a fact?

          1. It’s true Trump and others said the left and the media (but I repeat myself) were using coronavirus against him, and it’s also true that the media blatantly lied about it, saying that Trump called the coronavirus a hoax. Which is a flat out lie.

  14. If you call COVD-19 the China Virus, there is no reference specifically to the Chinese government in there. A lot of people – especially very crude people – will take it as a reference to the Chinese ethnicity. That is where the woman (lady?) insulting the Starbucks employee comes in. Of course Trump isn’t directly responsible for her behavior. But if he sets a tone of contempt for the Chinese, you’re gonna get stuff like that.

    Expect people to be irrational. That should be a definite guideline in all our decisions.

  15. So these very crude people are so stupid, that if we call it COVID19 that will fool them. They will forget that it came from China. Sure.

  16. QUOTE:It’s true Trump and others said the left and the media (but I repeat myself) were using coronavirus against him, and it’s also true that the media blatantly lied about it, saying that Trump called the coronavirus a hoax. Which is a flat out lie.

    Okay, let’s say what you suggest is accurate. Would you have any objection to this?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfceOXEOnYg&t=2s

    1. I object to Chris Hayes. But other than that, I honestly don’t get your point.

  18. QUOTE: The term “mainstream” is losing its meaning.

    You make an interesting point. As of February 2020, Faux News was the most-watched network in the United States and had a prime time audience of approximately 3.53 million primetime viewers in Feb. Seems pretty “mainstream”, eh?

  19. We’ve always been at war with Eastasia.

    William, who do you expect us to believe? Orange Jesus or our lying eyes and ears?

    Neither he nor his administration said it was a hoax. Or, a single person. Or, contained. Or, whatever. Whatever orange Jesus says is true and has always been true. He would never lie. He doesn’t have to. He’s orange Jesus.

    2. Bill’s points are well made and he got the focus right. Some pivotal statements within his soliloquy were:

      What if someone hears “Chinese virus” and blames China? The answer is, we should blame China, not Chinese Americans”.

      “Americans, we need you to hold two ideas in your head at the same time. This has nothing to do with Asian-Americans. It has everything to do with China.”

      Too bad some Americans can’t hold those ideas in their head simultaneously and we get the negative unintended consequences from calling it the “Chinese virus”.

      That’s said, relative to the pandemic, it’s interesting that Trump was rather China-friendly initially. Maybe he should have had Bill as an advisor on this matter?

  22. There are all kinds of things you can do in an ideal world without any problem, but a lot of them just don’t work out so well in the real world.

    1. @Robin, true. Ideally, the label would be used as a factual reference. Unfortunately, given the current context, it’s being used in a way that’s creating unnecessary issues.

      1. “Creating unnecessary issues”? Ha ha. For whom is it “creating unnecessary issues”? Only for the left, which is looking for some way to be offended, and to criticize Trump and conservatives, and for the propaganda arm of the Chinese government. I defy you to show any other example.

        There might be some idiots out there who are blaming Chinese Americans for the virus. It’s up to you to prove that they’re doing that because people are calling it the Wuhan virus, or the Chinese virus, or whatever.

        The simpler explanation is the obvious one. They’re just morons.

        1. You don’t wanna do anything to get morons started. If they think that their bigotry is condoned by high authority, they could have a reason for lashing out verbally and maybe even physically.

          But for now Trump (a conservative???) is currently having a love affair with the Chinese government.

        2. Yes, they are morons, we will definitely agree to that. It’s interesting that two things couldn’t be true simultaneous….right wing morons reacting to the verbiage of government officials and the left using this to capitalize on their opposition against Trump. Yet, it’s a fools errand to have that discussion, given how bias tends to shape perspectives. An insightful quote seems to be apropos here…“People should admit their own ignorance, of course. But it’s far more important that they admit their own bias.”

          My consistent point has been that when you have acceptable terms that are broadly understood (e.g., Coronavirus, Covid-19), which accurately describe this virus, there’s little need to use a term that could be potentially misunderstood and used as a ’cause’ by the morons. As well, if there’s a desire to go after China for their wrong doing, there’s more effective ways of doing that. To that point, I still find it interesting that our POTUS has stated: we are offering them [China] tremendous help. As well, we have a tremendous relationship with China which is a very positive thing.

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